Let It Go

When we took custody of Little Moon, we laughed to ourselves how it wouldn't be long before this soft-spoken, whispering little child would be swinging from the lights and screaming just like his brothers, as hard as it was to imagine.

Two and a half months later, I am listening to a very loud duet of the Frozen soundtrack from that same tiny whispering child and his almost-as-tiny but way louder older brother.  This duet includes musical instrument that are likely cars they are banging on our table (or each other).  I'm confident that last verse will be belted out in a monster/super villain voice.  It's loud and uninhibited and filled with laughter.  It's making me smile and reach for the headache medicine.

I am trying to teach myself to roll with the level or noise and commotion a house of three boys brings.  I tend to reject the gender stereotype notions that say that boys have to be louder and and more brash and rough than their female peers.  But as I continue to parent my three boys, I am losing the battle to keep them meek and quiet and slow.  I'm teaching myself that it's OKAY for little kids (boys or girls) to be loud in appropriate places in appropriate ways.  And I am teaching myself that those appropriate places and ways for kids are more vast than I have or wanted to accept.

I pride myself on my boys' manners and behavior.  It's not perfect, but they don't act like they have been raised by wolves and they don't bother people in places that people shouldn't be bothered. They sit mostly quiet in church, movie theaters, and restaurants. But in our home or in the homes of our friends...yes, I am forcing myself to let them scream and jump and wrestle.  I believe I'd let a little girl do the same if she felt inclined.  In fact, as a family who infuses nearly every part of our day with some form of speech therapy, I encourage it.

So sing away, Elsa and Ana.  Fight the bag guy, Batman and Superman.  Let's have that parade, Badger Marching Band.  And if you are shushed, Mama will find you a different place to let your energy shine when you need it to.  Even when I'd much rather that we all cuddle quietly for some book time, I'm learning to let it go and let you explore your childhood bodies and minds however loud you want.